report on modified MA240 vs Sound Lab M1

OTL Asylum

OTL, Output Transformerless Amplifier User Group.

Last night I finally was able to audition my "new" system, consisting of my "old" MA240s (which were already non-standard) recently modified to accept 6900s for the dual-differential cascode and ECC99 for the CCS. In addition, three more ECC99s were added in order to provide discrete CCSs for each of the three cathode-follower/driver tubes. (Don't ask.) And I exchanged the PASCAP coupling caps for Teflon ones. On top of that, during the re-build, I sold my old Sound Lab U2s and bought a used pair of M1s. I also purchased the kit from SL that allows one to alter the hi-pass filter in the M1s in order to increase midrange impedance. SO, so much is new that I cannot be certain what to attribute to what, but thankfully I can say that the sound is "wunderbar". The M1s obviously deliver even better bass response than the already great U2s. The sound is overall much more "relaxed" with much better low level detail, and these latter differences I attribute to the amplifiers. Also, I am driving the M1s without the Zeros, and I notice no mid-range "suck-out" such as I experienced with the U2s prior to installing the Zeros, nor is their any audible clipping. Yes, there is less input sensitivity vs the old Mark I input circuit in my amps; the volume control is now at 3 o'clock for "loud" big band jazz vs 12 o'clock or one o'clock previously with 12AT7 input tubes. The good part is that I was TRYING to listen analytically, but the system was so musical I kept being distracted by its content. Imagine that!

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Topic - report on modified MA240 vs Sound Lab M1 - Lew 06:50:38 08/21/02 (2)

Congratulations - Roy 15:44:28 08/21/02 (1)

Re: Congratulations - Lew 08:16:21 08/22/02 (0)

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